Is cheap bad?

[SOPLAND]

Hi, I have been wondering what are the diferences between digital capture cards. The ones with a firewire port so you can connect your camcorder. I bought this cheap one for 20 dollars and I'm not sure if I'm getting what the camera could give me in terms of quality.
My question is: Why would the card matter if it's a digital sign going from the camera to the computer? I understand that a digital sign doesn't deteriorate (and if it does is unreadable)
Nope, cheap is not bad when it comes to firewire. With many of those cards that cost 100 dollars or more what you are actually paying for is the editing software that comes with the card. There are only a handful of manufacturers for firewire PC parts, I think TI being the main one. Chances are your card is identical to many much more expensive cards.

[stephen2002]

Cheapy firewire cards work prefectly fine. They are digital so they either work like they are supposed to or don't work at all.

[lots]

tho becareful with the cheapy cheapy firewire cards.. i discovered a really crappy brand (cant remember the name off the top of my head) where if you wanted to use a digi cam on it.. you had to unplug it from the external power.. but if you wanted to do things that took power from the firewire port.. you needed to plug in the extra connector.. i dont know.. some weird stupid thing..

so.. just read up on the info about the card and what others have thought about it.. TOO cheap and it is bad.. but 20-30 dollars will definately score you a good card.. just be careful :)

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